The investment has come from IncWell, a VC fund run by the former Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda – and while the figure hasn't been disclosed, it's said to the "maximum amount" the fund is authorised to invest.

However, while digging into the progress of Pavlok, it seems backers are still waiting for their perks. While some prototypes were sent out in January, the Indiegogo page is still receiving comments from users.

Final shipping ETA isn't set until May, but worryingly the last updates from Pavlok reveal that the company has only recently received its first properly molded bands from manufacturing.

We've contacted Pavlok, and will update with a response if we hear back.

The band works by training your subconscious to avoid bad behaviours, such as smoking or eating sugary food, by shocking your body at the time of the action. The company states that after just four days, the human brain's behaviour will start to change.

Some actions can be automated, such as going on Facebook from your phone. However, for actions like smoking, it's up to the user to administer their own punishing shocks.

The idea is backed up by decades of studies, including the famous Pavlov's dog study in 1902, which used a bell to train a dog to salivate at the anticipation of food.